Sponsors

Dear Sponsor,



Congratulations! You have been chosen by a young person for a special role. A wonderful adventure in the spiritual life awaits the two of you. As a Confirmation sponsor, you have accepted a responsibility that is an honor in our Church.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE SPONSOR  

1. The sponsor must be spiritually qualified and sufficiently mature for their role, and at least 16 years of age. (Canon law 874.1,3) 
2. The sponsor must be a fully initiated, actively participating Roman Catholic having celebrated Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. 
3. The sponsor may not be one of the parents of the confirmand (Canon law 893.2, 874).  
4. There can only be one sponsor. 

Your role is to spiritually walk with the candidate during the preparation for the sacrament. You will be assisting the young person in being a true witness and disciple of Jesus, and representing the community when you present your candidate to the bishop. Your role does not end at the Confirmation liturgy; you will help the young person fulfill his or her baptismal promises after Confirmation with the help of the Holy Spirit. I ask for your assistance with the following items.

Monthly Sponsor Meeting: "Large Group Gatherings"

Each month we will gather together as a large group during your candidate's schedule RE time (Sundays 9 or 11 am, Mondays 5 or 7pm) These meetings are intended for candidates and sponsors. Parents may attend in a sponsor's place if the sponsor is unable to attend. This gathering is meant to be a time for sponsors to begin walking alongside their candidate on their Confirmation journey. You will learn more about your role as a sponsor, spend some time in prayer, and have the space to begin faith based conversation with your candidate.

SPONSOR FORM

If you are not a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, or your student has not done so already, please bring the Sponsor Form to the Pastor of your parish to sign and return to us by October 26th or 27th 2025.

Due by Sunday, October 26th or Monday October 27th

SPONSOR ROLE AND TIPS

Being a mentor and a guide for a young person should not be taken lightly. This highlights the need for you to ask the Holy Spirit to help you in your role as sponsor. Your role is not that of teacher but rather that of a mentor, a companion on the journey. It is your experiences as a person living the Catholic faith that will enrich the candidate. As a person bearing witness to Jesus in your own life, you are providing a young Christian with something that cannot be learned from a textbook. Below is a list of few tips and ideas for you as a sponsor

Communications: